Why are scales important for string players?

Our scales make use of different finger patterns. Practicing the scales give us an opportunity to become aware of the finger patterns involved in each scale (or key) and reduce our reading mistakes if we can memorize those patterns.

Scales also, give us a chance to learn our mis-spacings or faulty intonation. We typically make the same mistakes over and over. The mistakes we make in a scale, are often (if not always!!!) the same mistakes we make in music that uses those scales. If you mindfully make corrections to your scales, you will be more likely to play music in tune -- or at least -- catch the mistakes and correct them in the music also.